Vocabulary Mnemonics

November 23, 2024

Bewigged (adj): wearing a wig (meant of a person)

As Thanksgiving dinner approached, everyone agreed to treat each other respectfully. But when Uncle Larry arrived, bewigged, and dressed as William Bradford, the room erupted in laughter.

William Bradford was on the Mayflower and was the first governor of Plymouth Colony.

Mnemonic: Just think of wig; it’s right there in the word.

Tricorn (adj): having a brim turned up on three sides

When a bewigged Uncle Larry added a tricorn hat to his costume, the laughing rose to a whole new level.

Mnemonic: Tri means three; corn is short for corner.

Anno Domini (n): “In the year of the Lord…”

Short for AD (should go before the year when written)/

Uncle Larry, trying to engage the nieces and nephews, said, “Okay kids, does anybody know when the Mayflower landed?” Answering his own question, he blurted out, “It was anno domini 1620.”

Everyone rolled their eyes.

Mnemonic: Anno = Spanish ano. Domini = dominion.

Mayflower (n): a name given to several plants that bloom in May.

As everyone waited for the pies to be brought out, Uncle Larry, trying to make conversation, foolishly asked if the flowers in the picture were April flowers. “They’re Mayflowers!” everyone shouted.

Mnemonic: combine May and flower.

Pemmican (n): classic Native American dish made from dried meat and cranberries

When it was discovered that Uncle Larry brought pemmican instead of cranberry sauce, that was the last straw. He was thrown out of the house.

Mnemonic: Pretend it’s short for “prepared meal in a can.”

Dr. Mom’s words

Cornucopia (n): a horn of plenty; abundance of a variety of things

Let’s fill the cornucopia with all colors and types of apples this year.

Mnemonic: Picture a horn filled with a copious amount of corn.

Oblige or Obliged (v): to make someone legally or morally bound to an action or course of action; also to be indebted or grateful; to do a favor for

We are much obliged for your help.

I’m always ready to oblige a friend.

Mnemonic: Same root as obligate, but a softer version. The person is obligated in some way, but the response is more of a courtesy than a requirement.

Kudos (n): praise given for an achievement; fame and renown resulting from an act or achievement; prestige. Usually spoken in the plural, like “congratulations.” The British pronounce it “keu-dos”

Kudos to all who managed to remain attentive through the entirety of Wagner’s Ring cycle (four operas, 15 hours).

Mnemonic: Using the British pronunciation, congratulate yourself for being able to do what is needed right on cue.  

Commend (v): to mention for approbation, to praise; to find worthy of confidence or notice; to entrust for care and preservation

We commend you for your persistent hard work.

Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.” Luke 23:46

Mnemonic: Think of recommend. This is a shorter version, so it’s not as “large” a praise as a letter of recommendation, say.

Wampanoag (n): indigenous people of southeastern Massachusetts and parts of Rhode Island; the name translates to “people of the first light,” and these are the people known for their role in the first Thanksgiving.

Native Americans also harvested cranberries from wild bogs near the ponds, gatherings that continue to take place today among the Wampanoag of Aquinnah who live on the island. —Mary Forgione, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024

Mnemonic: Wampanoag begins like wampum, the word for the small cylindrical beads made out of shells by some Native American groups. Imagine getting wampum from them and being thankful, just like the Pilgrims were for the help they were given.

BIG sentence:

On Thanksgiving, let’s make a point of obliging people’s food requests (even for unconventional foods like  Mayflower-conjuring pemmican in this year of AD 2024), lavishing commendations on the cooks for the delicious cornucopia, giving kudos to Uncle Larry for his bewigged, tricorn-hatted appearance, and finally channeling the Wampanoag, without whom the holiday would never have been imagined.